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INDY 500: Target teammates on top with Oldsmobile power in Indy practice

19 May 2000

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE DAY #6 FAST FIVE:

Driver             Entrant            Engine        Speed

1. Jimmy Vasser    Ganassi Racing     Oldsmobile    221.681 mph
2. Juan Montoya    Ganassi Racing     Oldsmobile    221.555
3. Robby McGehee   Treadway Racing    Oldsmobile    220.964
4. Mark Dismore    Kelley Racing      Oldsmobile    220.896
5. Scott Sharp     Kelley Racing      Oldsmobile    219.922

    Teammates Jimmy Vasser and Juan Montoya staked out the top two spots
on the speed chart on the sixth day of practice for the 84th Indianapolis
500. In spite of swirling winds and an ominous weather forecast, the only
lightning bolts spotted at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today were painted
on the sidepods of Ganassi Racing's red-hot Target Oldsmobile G-Force Indy
cars.

    Vasser became the sixth different driver in six days to enjoy the
view from the top. His 221.681 mph lap was slightly slower than the fastest
times on previous days, but high humidity and "heavy air" hampered the
performance of the winged Indy cars on the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Montoya,
the fastest driver in yesterday's rain-shortened time trials, ran 221.555
mph to claim the second spot. Robby McGehee, who succeeded 1999 Indy 500
polewinner Arie Luyendyk in Treadway Racing's No. 5 Oldsmobile G-Force, was
third fastest at 220.964. Kelley Racing teammates Mark Dismore and Scott
Sharp rounded out the Top Five in their Oldsmobile Dallaras.

    "This is still the biggest motor race in the world," said Vasser after
his run. "From the top of the team on down, we are really focused and
excited to be here. We're working very hard.

    "We were out there the whole time in the wind today because we had
things to do," he noted. "We would rather not run in the wind - but it
could be windy on race day. That's the approach we take when we test."

    "You get a tow here or a draft there and suddenly everyone wants to
know what you're doing," explained team owner Chip Ganassi. "It's not like
that at all. We have a very methodical approach to what we're doing this
week. You have to have your act together quickly here. In years past, you
could run your race motor, take it apart, and then bring it back two weeks
later. We don't have that luxury of time any more."

    Montoya's comments were succinct: "I just drive the car as fast as I
can. It's simple."

    Oldsmobile IRL Aurora V8 engines prepared by Comptech Machine of
Eldorado Hills, Calif., powered the five fastest drivers today.
Thirty-seven of the 39 cars on the track today used Oldsmobile engines.

    The Ganassi Racing duo has adapted quickly from the turbocharged
motors used in the CART series to the naturally aspirated engines that
power IRL race cars. "There are definitely more similarities than there are
differences between the cars," said Vasser. "When you're driving around a
corner, you're trying to get the car balanced and smooth, no matter what
you're driving."

    After a final day of practice on Friday, qualifying for the Indy 500
pole will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20.